Famous Long Island Crimes (New York, Smithtown: apartment, murders, charge)

[catlaw1]

In either late 1970's or early 1980's a Newsday Paperboy was murdered by a 16 year old kid. He was sodomized and robbed. The case was huge. It burst the bubble of suburban safety and really was one of the main reasons parents stopped allowing their kids to be paperboys.

The trial was amazing. The defendant's lawyer Ben Gullo was up against Colin Fergerson's DA Judge George Peck. It was a trial among titians of the bar. Though circumstantial evidence was strong, Gullo almost pulled it out for his client. The jury was out forever and as the verdict was read jurors had tears in their eyes.

Gullo's cross of Det. Allen and his summation were the things legends are made from.

[catlaw1]

Originally Posted by clamboy

So why is he in Jail?

C

Good Question. The presence of other semen, does not mean Loliscio didn't kill her, it just points to another person or to someone who may have been there when she was killed.

The family is not wealthy and I doubt they have the funds. I think the innocence project is looking at the case.

[catlaw1]

Earlier in the thread, there was a suggestion that police do not put people in jail but that juries do too.

Well in the case of Theresa Fusco, a teenager who was killed leaving a Lynbrook skating rink in 1983 or 4, the detectives lied, moved evidence and convicted three men after using coercion to force a confession from one of them. These 3 guys did 17 years on a murder they did not commit.

Moreover, the prosecution used false testimony from unreliable jail house witnesses. It is a good reason why police need to keep a professional distance from homicide families. It can distort their perceptions. They need to get the guy they can legally prove guilty beyone a reasonable doubt, not just the easiest guy to get.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by catlaw1

Good Question. The presence of other semen, does not mean Loliscio didn't kill her, it just points to another person or to someone who may have been there when she was killed.

The family is not wealthy and I doubt they have the funds. I think the innocence project is looking at the case.

Hmmmmm
Had that evidence been present at the time of the verdict do you think the conviction would be the same?

What about the tide charts and state of the body?

C

[catlaw1]

One never knows how a jury will respond to evidence. I think the defense in that case did a great job with what they had, however, the state of DNA evidence has changed for the better. Unfortunately, trying to overturn a verdict is nearly impossible. You don't need proof of better evidence you need proof that someone besides your client committed the crime. The proof of that here is probably less strong. Money is a key too.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by catlaw1

One never knows how a jury will respond to evidence. I think the defense in that case did a great job with what they had, however, the state of DNA evidence has changed for the better. Unfortunately, trying to overturn a verdict is nearly impossible. You don't need proof of better evidence you need proof that someone besides your client committed the crime. The proof of that here is probably less strong. Money is a key too.

Wow ...thanks for the insight.

I hope they get it right someday.

C

[nancy thereader]

In either late 1970's or early 1980's a Newsday Paperboy was murdered by a 16 year old kid. He was sodomized and robbed. The case was huge. It burst the bubble of suburban safety and really was one of the main reasons parents stopped allowing their kids to be paperboys.

I think it was even earlier than that. I remember most of these crimes because my Dad was a news reporter & had his own column. Crimes wre a big topic in our house.

[jfkIII]

Do you think if he was delivering The Long Island Press, things might have turned out differently for him? I loved that weekly crossword puzzle contest in The Press!

[flu189]

For those old enough to remember the Alice Crimmons case in July 1965 where her young son and daughter were murdered and the bodies recovered near the Van Wyck Expy in Queens (I know it's NYC, but still technically on LI). Back then even in Queens such an incident was very big news and people were very shocked and concerned.

[momix5]

The nurse that was killed was Bob Greenes daughter the reporter from Newsday. What about the Angel of Death, the nurse from good samariatan hospital ?